Few programs over the last decade have won as consistently as Saint Mary’s. In 10 seasons under Randy Bennett, the Gaels have averaged 26.3 wins and finished in the top two of the West Coast Conference every season but one.

Led by a big group of seniors and an important grad transfer, this year’s team is as talented as any Bennett has had. It should reach the 26-win bar and may even surpass the 28 wins achieved by the 2010 team that was led by Matthew Dellavedova, Omar Samhan and Mickey McConnell and reached the Sweet 16.

What’s to like: Return of eight of top-11 rotation players

Saint Mary’s runs a detail-oriented offensive system, utilizing a spread floor with shooters and a lot of high-ball screens for guards. The goal is to pull big men away from the paint, get mismatches on both ends, and get efficient looks from 3 and at the rim. The team finished second and third nationally in each of the last two seasons in effective field goal percentage.